ReplayGain is a script for amaroK, helping to back replaygain tags for audio files.
To use ReplayGain, you must first analyze all your song files with the corresponding utility. The utility writes tags to the file, which corrects the playing volume. The script reads these tags and updates the volume as needed to ensure that all your files and albums play with the same perceived loudness. For files that lack replaygain tags, they will be played at 0 dB+pregain.
Tagging your files with ReplayGain is as easy as running a command on the supported file types. Using the command "vorbisgain -arfs *," you can tag your vorbis ogg files, while for mp3 files, you can run the command "find -type d -exec sh -c "mp3gain "{}"/*.mp3" ;" If you have mp4 and mp3 files, use the command "find -type d -exec sh -c "aacgain "{}"/*.mp[34]" ;" Finally, for your musepack files, run the command "find -type d -exec sh -c "replaygain --auto "{}"/*.mpc" ;."
ReplayGain works by adjusting the volume slider on each song change, depending on the replaygain tags present in the file. Users need to use their soundcard's mixer to adjust the volume, but the pregain can also be changed. The script is calibrated with gstreamer, xine, and arts engines, and crossfade is supported. With crossfade, the volume changes slowly, ensuring a smooth transition between songs. If the crossfade feature is disabled, you have the option of sudden or smooth volume changes.
Notably, the script sets the 0 dB point at 55% volume, with a default +6 dB pregain. This pregain is the volume reference level that determines how loud a song with no need for volume adjustment will play. Users can change the pregain in the configure dialog or by moving the volume slider. However, if the pregain is too high or low, the script may not have enough space to move the volume slider to get the needed volume correction for a given file, depending on the user's song collection. The gain range for the script goes approximately from 11 dB to -17 dB (5 to -23 if the 6 dB pregain applies) with gstreamer and xine engines.
Version 1.0.0 Beta 5: N/A